We depart from Quito in private transport to the Cotopaxi National Park. We walk around one hour from the parking zone at 4500 m / 14,764 ft to the José Ribas hut at 4800 m / 15,748 ft. We eat a box lunch, then we have a talk and practice in the glaciers with the guides for one hour.

Next, we return to the hut.

We get up at midnight to prepare our equipment, drink a special tea and start the ascent to the summit at 5897 m / 19,347 ft. We will be there for around 20 minutes to take pictures and admire the vistas. Then, we return to the hut in three hours.

Finally, we walk back to the parking zone and take our transportation.